What is the best way to determine whether a substance is an acid or base?

Answer 1

A pH meter gives a direct reading which is great when testing wine or soft drinks.

Litmus paper will go red in acid or blue in base.

An acid will liberate carbon dioxide from chalk - a base will not

You cook a red cabbage and save the juice. then if the thing you are testing turns red in the juice, it is acidic, if blue basic.

Turmeric indicates acid by turning strong yellow. Base is indicated by red.

Phenolphthalein indicates bases by turning red or purple. Acid is indicated by no color.

Answer 2

formula-wise

when the substance starts with hydrogen(i.e. HCl) that is definitely an acid but it is different when we talk about organic compounds like of acetic acid( formula is CH3COOH). when the formula ends with hydroxide(-OH), that is a base example NaOH(sodium hydroxide).

reality-wise

when it is sour that is an acid like of vinegar which is mostly acetic acid but if it is bitter like of soaps and detergents, that is a base. it is best if it is analysed in a laboratory wherein the use of litmus paper, pH meters, and indicators(i.e. phenolphthalein which is colorless when mixed with acids and turns pink/violet with a base) is readily available.

Answer 3

Use pH paper or a pH meter. This will tell you if it is an acid, alkali or a neutral substance.

Answer 4

The best way to determine whether a substance is an acid or base is to test the pH level. Anything with a pH of more than 7 is a base and less than 7 is an acid.

Answer 5

you usually use pH paper. you dip it into the substance, and then the color that the paper changes to, you look at the color indicator and it'll tell you if its basic or acidic or neutral.

Answer 6

By using a universal indicator. Litmus paper also indicates if it is an acid or base :)

USE A PH - SCALE!

Answer 7

The PH Scale

Answer 8

Use litmus paper.